Peristaltic Pump Sliding Edge for Gentle Tube Unthreading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing peristaltic pumps face challenges in simplifying the unthreading process of the tube segment, with a limited window for safe unthreading positions, leading to potential jamming and damage risks.
Innovation Solution
A sliding edge is integrated adjacent to the squeeze elements, connected to the rotor in a rotationally fixed manner, allowing easy manual unthreading by reducing tensile and friction forces on the tube segment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the tube segment is unthreaded manually without additional components, then the structure remains simple, but the tube segment may be jammed when the rotor assumes an unfavorable rotational position
Solution Approach 1:
A sliding edge is introduced as an intermediary component between the tube segment and the rotor. This sliding edge is connected to the rotor in a rotationally fixed manner and extends toward the support surface, allowing the tube segment to be gripped from below. The sliding edge mediates the interaction between the tube and rotor, enabling safe unthreading across all rotational positions by preventing direct contact between the tube and squeeze elements during removal.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the guide surface extends over a larger central angle, then the unthreading window is expanded, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding edge is extracted as a separate functional element from the existing guide surface structure. Instead of modifying the guide surface to extend over a larger angle, the sliding edge is introduced as an additional component that provides the necessary guidance and gripping function. This extraction allows the unthreading window to be expanded to nearly 360 degrees without significantly increasing the complexity of the original guide surface.
3Reliability
If the tube segment is pulled with force to ensure removal, then the unthreading is more reliable, but the tube segment may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding edge acts as a protective intermediary that distributes and controls the forces applied during unthreading. By providing a controlled gripping surface that the tube segment can engage from below, the sliding edge allows gentle pulling forces to effectively remove the tube without concentrating stress on specific points. This mediator function ensures reliable unthreading while minimizing the risk of tube damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding edge is positioned and configured to provide cushioning protection before the tube segment encounters any potentially harmful forces during unthreading. The edge geometry and rotational coupling create a controlled interaction zone that absorbs and distributes mechanical stresses, preventing sudden jerks or concentrated loads that could damage the tube segment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The sliding edge facilitates safe and gentle unthreading of the tube segment by expanding the rotational window for unthreading, reducing the risk of clamping and enhancing the durability of the tube.
Implementation Method 1
The tensile and frictional forces exerted on the tube segment are thus reduced, making it possible to handle the tube segment very gently during the unthreading process.
Implementation Method 2
the pulling movement on the tube segment during manual removal or unthreading of the tube segment causes the rotor to rotate even with very small pulling forces
Data Source
AI summary
A peristaltic pump for extracorporeal blood treatment has a pump housing that accommodates a rotor. The rotor is rotatable about a rotor axis. The pump also includes at least two squeeze elements offset in a circumferential direction to each other. The pump housing has a support surface extending arc-shaped about the rotor axis and spaced radially from the rotor. The support surface is configured to support a tube segment inserted radially between the rotor and the support surface. In order to simplify the manual unthreading of the tube segment and thereby largely protect the tube segment, the peristaltic pump has a sliding edge arranged adjacent to the respective squeeze element against the rotational direction of the rotor, extends toward the support surface, is connected to the rotor in a rotationally fixed manner, and can be gripped from below by, or under reached by, the inserted tube segment.